[2015 Six Nations] Ireland vs France (Round 2)

[big ginger 8]

How do you come to that conclusion

It's their concussion protocol that's been followed.

http://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/irish/2014/1219/668021-four-concussions-cause-sexton-medical-ban/

 

[Peat]

Any pack weights? England are definitely bigger in that regard because 9-15 I'd say the only English player bigger than the opposing Irishman might be Joseph. Ireland's halfbacks probably have 10Kg+ on England's!

110, 108, 118, 118, 116, 114, 109, 126 - England 1 to 8

101, 120, 124, 106, 114 - England 16 to 20

118, 110, 127, 124, 112, 107, 107, 106 - Ireland 1 to 8

101, 114, 123, 116, 110 - Ireland 16 to 20


You're right to point at the backs as being where Ireland were a lot bigger but I think you might just have been massively racist and thought Joseph and Burrell are the same person ^_^ Joseph's only 90kg, the joint smallest man in either side's three-quarters. Burrell's 104kg and the biggest.

The English pack is slightly larger, but only slightly; Ross, McGrath and Toner nearly counterbalance a very scrawny back row.

 

[Chistera]

The size of that tight five and then the bench ! Guirado 105kg, Ben Arous 117kg, Slimani 110kg, Maestri 121kg, Pape 118kg, Kayser 112kg, Debaty 128kg, Atonio 155kg !, Taofifénua 129kg.

Huge and mobile too, the front rowers Guirado, Kayser, Ben Arous, Debaty, Atonio, all are very active in all phases of the game now

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

110, 108, 118, 118, 116, 114, 109, 126 - England 1 to 8

101, 120, 124, 106, 114 - England 16 to 20

118, 110, 127, 124, 112, 107, 107, 106 - Ireland 1 to 8

101, 114, 123, 116, 110 - Ireland 16 to 20


You're right to point at the backs as being where Ireland were a lot bigger but I think you might just have been massively racist and thought Joseph and Burrell are the same person ^_^ Joseph's only 90kg, the joint smallest man in either side's three-quarters. Burrell's 104kg and the biggest.

The English pack is slightly larger, but only slightly; Ross, McGrath and Toner nearly counterbalance a very scrawny back row.

Joseph is only 90kg? Wow, I did make that mistake when the try was scored admittedly but I thought Henshaw had Burrell for weight but Joseph might have had Payne. I'd be terrible as a weighing scales.

 

[Peat]

Joseph is only 90kg? Wow, I did make that mistake when the try was scored admittedly but I thought Henshaw had Burrell for weight but Joseph might have had Payne. I'd be terrible as a weighing scales.

You would. Stick to the day job kid :lol:

Tbh, Joseph at 90kg could be one of those ones that make me eyebrow at the official stats - but then, he's pretty short (under 6ft) and not that built. Payne's got a couple of inches on him, height-wise. Burrell's 6'2", think that made him the tallest centre.

 

[FrenchFan]

Awful team selection. Awful player management. Lunatic coaching. No game plan. No leaders. No interest.

All the piano players have exited the group, except Fofana. Only the piano shifters remain.

It's not a rugby team it's a demolition squad.

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

IMO a way to get an improved estimate of physicality based on pack weights is to exclude props. I think the marginal contribution of weight per unit is less significant for props than back 5; its quite a unique assemblage of traits which makes a prop like Cian Healy who genuinely contributes to the physicality with which Ireland play. Most teams find that their heaviest props don't give rise to a more physical style of play, because the extra weight tends to come at the expense of mobility.

 

[Jockstap]

Murray Kinsella's Possible Ireland team to face France:

15. Rob Kearney
14. Tommy Bowe
13. Jared Payne
12. Robbie Henshaw
11. Simon Zebo
10. Johnny Sexton
9. Conor Murray
1. Jack McGrath
2. Rory Best
3. Mike Ross
4. Devin Toner
5. Paul O’Connell
6. Peter O’Mahony
7. Sean O’Brien
8. Jamie Heaslip
Replacements:
16. Sean Cronin
17. Cian Healy
18. Marty Moore
19. Iain Henderson
20. Jordi Murphy
21. Isaac Boss
22. Ian Madigan
23. Felix Jones

His possible Ireland teams are always on the money so this is most likely the real team. Putting Sean O'Brien straight in for this game seems a bit mad.

 

[goodNumber10]

Wasn't SOB named in the Italian game Squad originally?

He's just an awesome ball carrier on the right system so i can understand why he wants him in.

 

[Jockstap]

Wasn't SOB named in the Italian game Squad originally?

He's just an awesome ball carrier on the right system so i can understand why he wants him in.

I know but with all due respect to Italy this game is an entirely different kettle of fish.

 

[goodNumber10]

completely agree, but i think he's so instrumental in Schmidts plans he'll play him as long as it's safe to do so, much like Sexton.

 

[profitius]

If Schmidt plays all those players who are returning from injury, he must be very confident of winning this match.

Ireland are 4/11 with the bookies to win. That must be the lowest odds on Ireland beating France for decades.

 

[munstermuffin]

If Schmidt plays all those players who are returning from injury, he must be very confident of winning this match.

Ireland are 4/11 with the bookies to win. That must be the lowest odds on Ireland beating France for decades.

In fairness Heaslip will be grand. Wasn't out long. Sexton has been training fully for few weeks so fitness isn't a key there. SOB has had a few cameos and trained. Healy is only on bench so will be fine for 30.

 

[Feicarsinn]

If Schmidt goes without O'Brien he's down to his fourth choice 7. Hardly ideal against the French. I can understand his desire to get one of his few truly world class players back as soon as possible.

Would be very surprised if he's back up to speed or lasts the full 80 mind.

 

[Chistera]

If Schmidt plays all those players who are returning from injury, he must be very confident of winning this match.

Ireland are 4/11 with the bookies to win. That must be the lowest odds on Ireland beating France for decades.

With all these players back, I'd be happy if France only managed to put up a decent fight against Ireland.
A try would be nice too, we failed to get one against Scotland and scoring one against Ireland would definitely be a very welcome proof of improvement.

 

[French TommyGun]

I can't believe Parra isn't starting! He was on great form on Saturday. Not only is he better than Kockot but him and C Lopez read each other better from playing at Clermont, and he has real experience! The experience from winning the grand slam, World Cup experience... a freaking wealth of experience!! PSA is an idiot!
I don't think much of Eddy Ben Arou either...
And Teddy Thomas... you can't deny that there is potential there and the guy can run in some beautiful looking tries but for the time being he's just a one trick pony. His defence is awful! Incapable of making a tackle. No threat on the high balls. It's as if he afraid to hurt himself...
In the second half I'm sure PSA told Lopez to just kick the ball to Teddy at all costs! From the 40s to the about the 60s minute (until Parra came in and took charge) as soon as he had the ball he kicked to the top left of the field! It wouldn't surprise me if PSA whole game plan was "Kick the ball to Teddy"

All that said I think we'll make something happen on Saturday
Allez les Bleu!

 

[bw245]

What time is the team announcement today?

 

[big ginger 8]

What time is the team announcement today?

2.

 

[big ginger 8]

Ireland XV to face France: Rob Kearney, Tommy Bowe, Jared Payne, Robbie Henshaw, Simon Zebo, Johnny Sexton, Conor Murray, Jamie Heaslip, Sean O'Brien, Peter O'Mahony, Paul O'Connell (captain), Devin Toner, Mike Ross, Rory Best, Jack McGrath.

Replacements: 16 Sean Cronin, 17 Cian Healy, 18 Marty Moore, 19 Iain Henderson 20 Jordi Murphy, 21 Isaac Boss, 22 Ian Madigan 23 Felix Jones

 

[bw245]

Glad to see Sexton, Heaslip back. Great news for O'Brien and Best! Didn't think they'd be in the starting 15!

Also: How weird does Healy beside nr 17 look?

Is Schmidt leaving himself short in the back row on the subs bench? Jordi will surely slip into number 7 for O'Brien after the 50 min mark or but what if Heaslip can't finish the game? Henderson?